Best Christmas shows, pantomimes and musicals in London 2026

The Nutcracker is one of those Christmas shows that comes back every year by popular demand, filling the Coliseum with ballet fans looking for that familiar festive sparkle. The English National Ballet’s production brings this flamboyant classic to life, set to Tchaikovsky’s mesmerising score, as more than 100 dancers perform the timeless story of Clara and her journey with the Nutcracker, as they take on the Mouse King.

Follow Clara across Edwardian London, from Drosselmeyer’s Sweets and Delights Emporium, where she first meets the Nutcracker, to magical worlds filled with snowy landscapes, extravagant sweets and festive wonder. Along the way, she joins the Sugar Plum Fairy to face the Rat King before arriving in the colourful Kingdom of Sweets & Delights, where the Sugar Plum Fairy hosts a grand celebration in her honour.

In previous years, we were struck by the dreamy staging, from snowy Christmas trees to the colourful world of giant, glossy sweets. It still feels just as magical today, with choreography by Aaron S. Watkin alongside Olivier Award-winner Arielle Smith. The production makes full use of the Coliseum’s grand stage, with Tchaikovsky’s iconic score performed live by the English National Ballet Philharmonic.

Best for: Ballet and dance fans, as well as anyone looking for a magical and traditional Christmas theatre experience.

Good to know: Children under five are not usually allowed in the auditorium at the London Coliseum. However, children under five and babes-in-arms are welcome at the family-friendly matinee on Saturday 3 January at 2.30pm.

Welcome the festive season with the return of Charles Dickens' classic A Christmas Carol at The Old Vic. One of the theatre's biggest hits, Jack Thorne's play returns for its 10th consecutive year, having quickly become one of London's festive must-sees.

Packed with Christmas spirit, the production immerses audiences in Dickens' world through a unique staging that engages more than just the eyes. The auditorium fills with the scent of mince pies, Christmas carols echo around the theatre and, during the second act, even Brussels sprouts descend from the ceiling on parachutes. The festive surprises don't stop there. The Old Vic's in-the-round staging creates a fully immersive 360-degree experience, bringing audiences closer to the action wherever they are seated.

The story follows the bitter Ebenezer Scrooge on a cold Christmas Eve as he is visited by four ghosts from his past, present and future, each determined to rekindle his Christmas spirit. What follows is a whirlwind journey through the choices that have shaped his life, revealing the consequences of a lifetime of selfishness and greed. The question is whether Scrooge can learn from the past and embrace the true spirit of Christmas before it's too late.

Best for: Anyone looking for a festive theatre experience that fully embraces the magic of the season.

Good to know: The Old Vic's in-the-round staging means there are no bad seats in the house, but front-row seats offer the most immersive experience, putting you right in the middle of the action.

This festive season, step into the enchanting world of The Little Match Girl, an award-winning ballet directed and choreographed by Arthur Pita, inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairy tale.

After several successful festive seasons at Sadler’s Wells, this much-loved production combines mesmerising ballet with live music by Frank Moon. It now arrives at Wilton’s Music Hall, transforming its historic stage into a snow-covered Italian town.

We follow Fiammetta, a poor young girl on Christmas Eve, as she wanders the streets trying to sell matches in the freezing cold. As the night grows harsher, she lights her final match in search of warmth, drifting into a series of memories and visions of happier times.

The heart-warming and poignant tale, filled with humour and wonder, sees her meet plenty of characters that show hardship, compassion and hope along the way.

Best for: Ballet lovers, fans of Arthur Pita’s atmospheric choreography and those looking for a more intimate festive show.

Good to know: Wilton’s Music Hall is a restored historic venue, meaning some seats offer more restricted views than others, so it’s worth checking seating plans carefully when booking.

Go down the rabbit hole and join Alice in a magical Wonderland in Cirque Alice, a brand-new show reimagining Lewis Carroll’s classic through breathtaking acrobatics. This joyful circus production is filled with gravity-defying stunts, mesmerising aerial numbers, mind-bending contortionists, exquisite puppetry, dancers and guest musicians.

The extraordinary show is brought to the stage by the team behind The Illusionists and Circus 1903, with some of the world’s leading performers taking to the stage inside the specially transformed Royal Festival Hall, turned into a magical playground for the duration of the run.

Best for: Circus and acrobatics fans, as well as those looking for a fun take on the classic Alice in Wonderland story.

Good to know: Ringside table tickets are limited and offer up-close views of the acrobats and aerialists, so it’s worth booking early if you want to be closest to the action.

A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong, the chaotic Christmas special from The Cornley Amateur Drama Society, returns with another disaster waiting to happen. Completely undeterred by their past production mishaps, they’re taking on one of Britain’s most treasured festive stories: Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.

Brought to the stage by Mischief Theatre, this festive slapstick comedy is packed with missed cues, malfunctioning props and plenty of backstage drama, resulting in the kind of laugh-out-loud chaos the Goes Wrong productions have become famous for.

As the company attempts to stage the Christmas classic, tensions quickly begin to rise. Between tech crews and stage management struggling to communicate, actors mysteriously going missing and an escalating feud over who gets to play Ebenezer Scrooge, everything that could go wrong does. From auditions and rehearsals to set design and post-show reviews, this parody takes audiences on a madcap ride as the director desperately tries to hold everything together while also keeping the lead role for himself, leading to a total riot.

If, like us, you love a good laugh and the total mayhem that comes with a Goes Wrong production, A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong is sure to hit the mark and have you in stitches from beginning to end.

Best for: Pantomime and slapstick comedy lovers, as well as theatregoers looking for a fresh twist on a beloved Christmas classic.

Good to know: Make sure to book early, as previous West End runs from the Christmas Carol Goes Wrong have sold out quickly, making them some of London's most popular Christmas shows.

Prepare for a side-splitting festive show as the enchanting classic Cinderella comes to the Lyric Hammersmith stage with a fresh twist. This family-friendly production is packed with show-stopping songs, plenty of laugh-out-loud moments and all your favourite characters, from singing mice and handsome princes to magical fairy godmothers.

The Lyric Hammersmith has become known for its memorable Christmas productions, and Cinderella is set to continue that tradition with a hilarious take on the beloved fairy tale. Follow the story of a young girl forced to live under the rule of her wicked stepmother and stepsisters, before an unexpected touch of magic gives her the chance to swap rags for riches and attend the royal ball.

Written by Joel Horwood (The Ocean at the End of the Lane) and directed by Robin Belfield (Princess Essex), this festive production brings plenty of humour and sparkle to the classic fairytale, making it a great choice for families looking for a fun Christmas theatre outing in London.

Best for: Families with young children and anyone looking for a fun-filled pantomime-inspired take on a classic fairy tale.

Good to know: The Lyric Hammersmith is a smaller, more intimate venue than most West End theatres, so even seats further back still feel close to the action. Central seats in the stalls tend to give the best overall view of the stage.

Kids are in for a treat this Christmas as Julia Donaldson's lovable character returns in this family favourite, mixing puppetry, music and storytelling. Follow Stick Man as he embarks on the adventure of a lifetime trying to reunite with his family. Things soon take an unexpected turn when he meets a dog who wants to play fetch, a swan looking for material for her nest, and he even finds himself in a sticky situation after ending up on a fire. Will he overcome the obstacles in his path and make it back home to the family tree?

Having entertained families across the UK for more than a decade, Stick Man continues to delight audiences by bringing Julia Donaldson's much-loved story to life on stage. Twinkling trees, playful choreography and sing-along songs make for a festive treat, while the clever puppetry is a real highlight, with the dog puppet proving especially popular with younger audience members. Performed by a cast of three, the show packs plenty of energy, humour and heart into its one-hour running time, keeping both children and adults entertained throughout.

Best for: Families with children aged three and above and fans of Julia Donaldson's books.

Good to know: With a running time of just one hour and no interval, this is the perfect family friendly Christmas show for first-time theatre-goers.

Another delightful stage adaptation of one of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s beloved children’s books, The Smartest Giant in Town follows George, a giant who is tired of looking scruffy and decides it’s time for a new look. After treating himself to some smart new clothes, George proudly sets out to become the smartest giant in town. But, as he makes his way through town, he comes across a number of animals in need of help... and his new clothes soon prove more useful than he expected.

What follows is a heartwarming story of friendship, kindness and generosity, brought to life through clever puppetry, lively songs and plenty of giggles along the way. George’s good intentions often land him in laughable situations, keeping little ones entertained throughout this charming 55-minute production.

Best for: Family theatre outings, introducing little ones to the world of theatre, and fans of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s stories.

Good to know: With performances taking place late morning and early afternoon, the show is easy to fit around younger children's routines.

Join Peppa Pig and her family as they return to the West End for another fun-filled adventure packed with surprises. This Christmas, Peppa Pig’s Big Family Show! follows Peppa, George, Mummy Pig and Daddy Pig as they get ready to welcome a brand-new member of the family.

With so much to do before the big day, the whole family needs a helping hand to get everything ready. Based on the much-loved animated TV series, this live stage show brings Peppa Pig’s world to life with catchy songs, colourful sets and plenty of surprises. Packed with music, laughter and audience participation, it's an ideal Christmas theatre outing for younger children and devoted Peppa Pig fans alike. 

Best for: Peppa Pig fans and families looking for a fun and interactive Christmas theatre experience.

Good to know: Prams and buggies can be left in the cloakroom up to 30 minutes before the performance, provided they are fully collapsible as space is limited.

After a triumphant first run at Shakespeare's Globe, Pinocchio the Musical returns for another festive season, bringing the much-loved character back to the stage and inviting audiences to reconnect with their inner child. Inspired by Carlo Collodi's original children's book, this fresh adaptation follows Geppetto, an inventor and outsider who finds little joy in his daily routine until he creates a wooden puppet named Pinocchio.

What follows is a whirlwind adventure as Pinocchio sets out to discover what it truly means to be human. Along the way, he encounters a colourful cast of characters, from the cunning Fox and Cat to the terrifying Coachman, as he navigates a world filled with temptation, danger and wonder while searching for his place within it.

The puppetry is one of the show's standout features, bringing Pinocchio and the story's fantastical creatures to life in remarkable fashion. From the hallucinatory Blue Fairy to the giant blue whale that appears to swim through the audience, the production combines striking visuals, breathtaking costumes and inventive staging to create a genuinely magical theatre experience.

Best for: Families with older children, fans of classic stories and anyone looking for a visually spectacular Christmas theatre experience.

Good to know: Unlike most London theatres, Shakespeare's Globe has an open roof, meaning you're exposed to the elements, particularly during winter performances. We recommend wrapping up warm and bringing an extra layer, particularly if you are attending with children.